**3. Banana pseudo-stem fiber properties**

### **3.1 Morphological properties**

Optical microscopy examination of pseudo-stem fiber of banana plant revealed that it is a multicellular fiber, like other vegetable fibers. The cells in this fiber have a diameter of approximately 10 μm and an average length of 4.5 μm with L/D ratio of 450. The cell wall thickness of banana fiber was found to be 8.3 μm, which lies between that of sisal (about 12.8 μm) and ramie (about 11.5 μm). The structural and fracture morphology of raw and chemically treated banana pseudo-stem fiber has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy after coating with a thin layer of gold or iridium [19]. Banana pseudo-stem fiber has a scaly and cellular structure with vegetable matter intact, as shown in **Figure 5a** and **b**. The horizontal marks on the fiber surface are attributed to the bundle structure of the fibers, in which each bundle consists of several fibrils. The transverse section of the pseudo-stem fiber is shown in **Figure 5c** and **d**, which confirms the multi-cellular structure, whereas the structure of the raw fiber is shown in **Figure 5e** and **f**. As seen in the figure, the lumen is clearly seen in the cross section (indicated by arrow no. 2), as well as the fiber-cell walls (indicated by arrow no. 1).

The hollow structure of the banana pseudo-stem suggests that the fiber will have good insulation and absorbance properties. Treating the fiber with either alkali or acid may result in good quality of fibers. For example, the treatment of pseudo-stem fiber with different concentrations of NaOH has indicated that the surface morphology of the 5% NaOH-treated fibers was not much different from that of the raw fibers. The surface looked clearer due to the removal of some impurities and debris, though the fiber is not clearly visible. The fibers and their fibrils are clearly visible when the pseudo-stem fiber is treated with 10% NaOH.

#### **3.2 Physical and mechanical properties**

Banana pseudo-stem fibers have physical and chemical characteristics and other properties that make them good quality fiber. In terms of physical properties, it has been reported in the literature that the banana pseudo-stem fiber has good modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, and stiffness, which makes it a promising fiber material [1]. The appearance of banana pseudo-stem fiber is quite like ramie and bamboo fiber, but its spin ability and fineness are much better than that of ramie and bamboo. It

**53**

**Figure 5.**

*Banana Pseudo-Stem Fiber: Preparation, Characteristics, and Applications*

has average fineness of 2400 Nm. It is a strong fiber and has lower strain at break. Its appearance is quite shiny, which depends on the extraction and spinning processes. It has low density and strong moisture absorption quality. Its absorbance and release of moisture are quite fast. **Table 1** shows the physical and mechanical properties of banana pseudo-stem fiber in comparison with other types of plant/natural fibers. Additionally, studies of X-ray indicate that banana pseudo-stem fiber has a high degree of crystallinity with a spiral angle of about 15°. In the crystalline region, the molecules are packed more tightly. The acid and alkali-treated banana pseudo-stem

Studies on the durability of banana pseudo-stem fiber have been carried out at the Center of Study for Natural Fiber and Natural Dyes (CSNFD) at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Concentration Textile Engineering, Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII). The studies showed that the durability of banana pseudo-stem fiber can stay up to 3 months of storage. However, if the storage period of the fiber is longer than 3 months, the strength of the fiber is considerably decreased.

fibers showed greater amorphous region than the untreated fiber.

**3.3 Durability and biodegradability**

*SEM images of banana pseudo-stem fiber.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82204*

*Banana Pseudo-Stem Fiber: Preparation, Characteristics, and Applications DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82204*

*Banana Nutrition - Function and Processing Kinetics*

the degumming process [22].

**3.1 Morphological properties**

**3. Banana pseudo-stem fiber properties**

fiber-cell walls (indicated by arrow no. 1).

**3.2 Physical and mechanical properties**

when the pseudo-stem fiber is treated with 10% NaOH.

These gums and cells are mostly not soluble in water and must be extracted before the fiber is mechanically spun into fine yarn count. It is a numerical expression which indicates whether the yarn is fine or coarse, and thick or thin. The unit of count is mass per unit length or length per unit mass of the yarn. These gums basically consist of arabans and xylans, which are soluble in the alkaline solutions. The basic degumming process steps are as follows: boiling the fibers couple of times in aqueous alkaline solution with/without agitation and pressure, and with/without reducing agents; second, washing the fibers with water for neutralizing; third, fiber bleaching with dilute hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorite; and fourth, fiber washing with water for neutralizing and oiling with a sulfonated hydrocarbon. Most of the processes involve caustic soda to treat the residual pectin, lignin, and gum. Although pseudo-stem fibers are commonly degummed by chemicals, there are also promising alternatives in retting (microbial degumming). Additionally, several literature studies have reported that the use of ultrasonic vibrations could speed up

Optical microscopy examination of pseudo-stem fiber of banana plant revealed that it is a multicellular fiber, like other vegetable fibers. The cells in this fiber have a diameter of approximately 10 μm and an average length of 4.5 μm with L/D ratio of 450. The cell wall thickness of banana fiber was found to be 8.3 μm, which lies between that of sisal (about 12.8 μm) and ramie (about 11.5 μm). The structural and fracture morphology of raw and chemically treated banana pseudo-stem fiber has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy after coating with a thin layer of gold or iridium [19]. Banana pseudo-stem fiber has a scaly and cellular structure with vegetable matter intact, as shown in **Figure 5a** and **b**. The horizontal marks on the fiber surface are attributed to the bundle structure of the fibers, in which each bundle consists of several fibrils. The transverse section of the pseudo-stem fiber is shown in **Figure 5c** and **d**, which confirms the multi-cellular structure, whereas the structure of the raw fiber is shown in **Figure 5e** and **f**. As seen in the figure, the lumen is clearly seen in the cross section (indicated by arrow no. 2), as well as the

The hollow structure of the banana pseudo-stem suggests that the fiber will have good insulation and absorbance properties. Treating the fiber with either alkali or acid may result in good quality of fibers. For example, the treatment of pseudo-stem fiber with different concentrations of NaOH has indicated that the surface morphology of the 5% NaOH-treated fibers was not much different from that of the raw fibers. The surface looked clearer due to the removal of some impurities and debris, though the fiber is not clearly visible. The fibers and their fibrils are clearly visible

Banana pseudo-stem fibers have physical and chemical characteristics and other properties that make them good quality fiber. In terms of physical properties, it has been reported in the literature that the banana pseudo-stem fiber has good modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, and stiffness, which makes it a promising fiber material [1]. The appearance of banana pseudo-stem fiber is quite like ramie and bamboo fiber, but its spin ability and fineness are much better than that of ramie and bamboo. It

**52**

**Figure 5.** *SEM images of banana pseudo-stem fiber.*

has average fineness of 2400 Nm. It is a strong fiber and has lower strain at break. Its appearance is quite shiny, which depends on the extraction and spinning processes. It has low density and strong moisture absorption quality. Its absorbance and release of moisture are quite fast. **Table 1** shows the physical and mechanical properties of banana pseudo-stem fiber in comparison with other types of plant/natural fibers. Additionally, studies of X-ray indicate that banana pseudo-stem fiber has a high degree of crystallinity with a spiral angle of about 15°. In the crystalline region, the molecules are packed more tightly. The acid and alkali-treated banana pseudo-stem fibers showed greater amorphous region than the untreated fiber.
